Phishing Emails and Texts: How to Spot and Report Them
Overview
Phishing emails or texts are fraudulent messages designed to trick you into sharing sensitive information such as passwords, personal data, or financial details. These messages often appear to come from trusted sources but are intended to compromise your account or device.
Do not click links, open attachments, or reply to suspicious emails or texts. McLennan Community College will never email you requesting your password, ask you to submit personal information through a Google Form, or send official college communications from a student email account.
Getting Started
How to Spot a Phishing Email
- Unexpected or urgent requests for personal or account information
- Email addresses that do not match the sender’s name or organization
- Spelling or grammar errors
- Links that do not match the official website when hovered over
- Attachments you were not expecting
- Messages that create a sense of urgency or fear
An email may appear to come from someone you know, but the message may not sound like them; attackers can spoof email addresses, meaning they make the sender address look like a trusted contact, so if the tone or request seems unusual, treat it as a potential phishing attempt.
What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Message
You may report the phishing email using the Report Button on Outlook. Instructions can be found at Email Report Button.
Text
Report the phishing text to your cell carrier like T-Mobile or AT&T.
If You Interacted with the Message
If you clicked a link, replied to the message, or entered information into a form, report it immediately by contacting the Help Desk at 254-299-8077.
Reporting quickly helps protect your account and reduces the risk of further impact.